Latinos/as/x are the largest and fastest growing culturally diverse population in the United States, representing dynamic and thriving American realities.
U.S. Latino/a Studies at Iowa State University is a cross-disciplinary, coalition-building program that offers well-structured and creative coursework to students interested in the arts, cultures, economies, histories, politics, religions, and literatures of Latino/a/x communities throughout the United States. It facilitates the study of a vast array of communities and individuals with roots in the Caribbean and Latin America, and long-established U.S. citizen communities such as Chicanos/as, Mexican Americans, Tejanos, Californios, Cuban-Americans, Dominican-Americans, and Puerto Ricans on the island and on the mainland.
The program aims to serve as a hub that connects classes, service and outreach opportunities across colleges, schools, and departments. Consequently, students can discover a stimulating field of critical and academic research, engage in an exciting platform on which to link different fields of study, and become part of outreach/community networks in which they will grow to become outstanding, conscientious leaders in their respective careers.
The Program in U.S. Latino/a Studies is well suited to careers in Education, Psychology, History, Sociology, Business, Journalism, Spanish Language and Cultures, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Agriculture. A U.S. Latino/a Studies minor, or a double major with a Latino/a Studies track in Interdisciplinary Studies, strengthens student profiles as they compete for jobs on the global market because they have attained an in-depth experience of local and global experiences of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as a sophisticated understanding of diversity and inclusion.
The US LS Program offers course work that meets the ISU U.S. Diversity requirement and also offers a 15 credit Minor.
Interdisciplinary Studies Major, Track in U.S. Latino/a Studies
Students can work with the US LS program director and the Interdisciplinary Studies adviser to develop an individualized major program. In addition to meeting the general requirements for the Interdisciplinary Studies major, students wishing to complete a track in U.S. Latino/a Studies must complete a minimum of 36 credits in the area of U.S. Latino/a Studies including US LS 211 (Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Studies). At least 15 of the 36 credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above and 6 credit hours must be earned at the 400-level. Students must also meet the upper-level communication proficiency requirement by taking English 302 or 314.
Required Courses (36 credits)
Prerequisite for all US LS courses: (3 credit hours):
| US LS 211 | Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Studies | 3 |
| Two of the following Historical Foundations of US LS | 6 | |
| Latina/o History | ||
| History of Latin America I | ||
| History of Latin America II | ||
| Two of the following Social Science Foundations of US LS | 6 | |
| The Latino/Latina Experience in U.S. Society | ||
| U.S. Latino/a Psychology | ||
| Topics in Latin American Anthropology | ||
| Latin American Civilization | ||
| Latin America Today | ||
| Two of the following Political Foundations of US LS | 3 | |
| Latin American Government and Politics | ||
| Civil Rights and Ethnic Power | ||
| Two of the following Literature and Language in US LS | 6 | |
| Religion and U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Seminar on the Literatures and Cultures of Latin America | ||
| Spanish for Global Professionals | ||
| Special Topics in US LS (Optional; maximum of 3 credit hours per semester up to 9 credit hours total) | 3-9 | |
| Independent Study | ||
| Additional Credits for the Major (if not taken to satisfy areas above; four of the following courses) | 12 | |
| Latina/o History | ||
| The Latino/Latina Experience in U.S. Society | ||
| Religion and U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Latin American Government and Politics | ||
| U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| U.S. Latino/a Psychology | ||
| Civil Rights and Ethnic Power | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Topics in Latin American Anthropology | ||
| History of Latin America I | ||
| History of Latin America II | ||
| Latin American Civilization | ||
| Latin America Today | ||
| Seminar on the Literatures and Cultures of Latin America | ||
Notes
- The list of acceptable courses may include courses not currently listed above. Contact the Director of US Latino/a Studies for information on eligible courses.
- The student must have an average grade of C in the required courses of the major.
- Fulfillment of the foreign language requirement with Spanish is strongly recommended, but not required. A limit of six (6) credits of approved Spanish courses (304, 322, 324, 445) may be used as supporting courses for the major. Spanish course credits counted toward the major may not be applied to any other degree requirement.
US Latino/a Studies Minor
The minor in US Latino/a Studies requires a minimum of 15 credit hours including US LS 211 (Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Studies). University policy indicates that minors must include at least 9 credits that are not applied to any other degree requirement.
Required course work in core courses (9 credits total):
| US LS 211 | Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Studies | 3 |
| And six credits from the following: | 6 | |
| US LS 371 | Mexican American History | 3 |
| US LS 372 | Latina/o History | 3 |
| US LS 420 | Bilingualism, Bilingual Education, and U.S. Mexican Youth | 3 |
| Religion and U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Latin American Government and Politics | ||
| U.S. Latino/a Psychology | ||
| Civil Rights and Ethnic Power | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| HIST 473 | Civil Rights and Ethnic Power | 3 |
Six (6) additional credits from the following list (if not taken to satisfy area above):
| US LS 371 | Mexican American History | 3 |
| US LS 372 | Latina/o History | 3 |
| US LS 420 | Bilingualism, Bilingual Education, and U.S. Mexican Youth | 3 |
| US LS 342 | Religion and U.S. Latino/a Literature | 3 |
| US LS 343 | Latin American Government and Politics | 3 |
| US LS 347 | U.S. Latino/a Psychology | 3 |
| US LS 473 | Civil Rights and Ethnic Power | 3 |
| US LS 490 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| ANTHR 323 | Topics in Latin American Anthropology | 3 |
| HIST 340 | History of Latin America I | 3 |
| HIST 341 | History of Latin America II | 3 |
| SPAN 304 | Spanish for Global Professionals | 3 |
| SPAN 322 | Latin American Civilization | 3 |
| SPAN 324 | Latin America Today | 3 |
| SPAN 445 | Seminar on the Literatures and Cultures of Latin America | 3 |
| HIST 473 | Civil Rights and Ethnic Power | 3 |
Notes:
- The list of acceptable courses may include courses not currently listed above. Contact the Director of US Latino/a Studies for information on eligible courses.
- A limit of six (6) credits of approved Spanish courses (304, 322, 324, 445) may be used as supporting courses for the minor. Spanish course credits counted toward the minor may not be applied to any other degree requirement.
- A maximum of 3 credit hours of US LS 490 (Independent Study) may applied toward the minor.
Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.
History and current lives of the Latino/a peoples in the United States, including Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and South and Central Americans, as well as information specific to Iowa Latino/as, will be covered. Through readings, class discussions, writing assignments, and guest speakers, students will acquire accurate information and a solid understanding of the US Latino/a population and cultural perspectives. Elements of Latino/a culture to be covered include historical, sociological, educational, psychological, economic, and political facets.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
(Cross-listed with ANTHR). (3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. S.
Prereq: ANTHR 201 or ANTHR 306 recommended
Exploration of key contemporary and historical issues in Latin American Anthropology; discussion of current anthropological approaches to studying Latin American social issues in a global context. Topics vary each time offered.
(Cross-listed with ANTHR). (3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. S.
Prereq: ANTHR 201 or ANTHR 306 recommended
Exploration of key contemporary and historical issues in Latin American Anthropology; discussion of current anthropological approaches to studying Latin American social issues in a global context. Topics vary each time offered.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
(Cross-listed with ANTHR). (3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. S.
Prereq: ANTHR 201 or ANTHR 306 recommended
Exploration of key contemporary and historical issues in Latin American Anthropology; discussion of current anthropological approaches to studying Latin American social issues in a global context. Topics vary each time offered.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
(Cross-listed with ANTHR). (3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. S.
Prereq: ANTHR 201 or ANTHR 306 recommended
Exploration of key contemporary and historical issues in Latin American Anthropology; discussion of current anthropological approaches to studying Latin American social issues in a global context. Topics vary each time offered.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
(Cross-listed with ANTHR). (3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. S.
Prereq: ANTHR 201 or ANTHR 306 recommended
Exploration of key contemporary and historical issues in Latin American Anthropology; discussion of current anthropological approaches to studying Latin American social issues in a global context. Topics vary each time offered.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
(Cross-listed with ANTHR). (3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: ANTHR 201 or ANTHR 306 recommended
Exploration of key contemporary and historical issues in Latin American Anthropology; discussion of current anthropological approaches to studying Latin American social issues in a global context. Topics vary each time offered.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
(Cross-listed with SOC). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.
Prereq: SOC 134
Examination of the social, historical, economic and political experience of varied Latino ethnic groups in the U.S. - primarily focusing on Mexican, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
(Cross-listed with RELIG). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered odd-numbered years.
A study of the religious behavior and attitudes expressed in the literature of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and other groups of people living in the U.S. who trace their ancestry to the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
(Cross-listed with POL S). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Political institutions, processes, and contemporary issues. Selected countries examined intensively to illustrate generalizations. Role of parties, military, church, human rights, women, environmental issues, interest groups, ideology, and globalization.
Meets International Perspectives Requirement.
(Cross-listed with ENGL). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: ENGL 250
An introduction to the literature of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and other Latino/a sub-groups. Special emphasis on themes such as ethnic relations and comparisons with EuroAmerican literary traditions.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
(Cross-listed with PSYCH). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: Two courses in Psychology including PSYCH 101
Historical, political, and social contexts of psychological and mental health constructs in terms of their validity and utility for use with Latino/a people in the U.S. Unique aspects of psychological functioning particular to Latino/a people in the U.S.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
(Cross-listed with HIST). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: 3 credits of 200-level HIST at Iowa State and sophomore classification.
History of the Mexican American community in the U.S. from the 1820s to the present. Topics include community development, employment, social marginalization, racism/discrimination, depression and world wars, civil rights, ethnic power and politics.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
(Cross-listed with HIST). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Historical and cultural heritage of Latinas/os in the United States. The histories of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and other Latin American peoples in the U.S. emphasizing political and cultural convergence and congruencies.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
(Cross-listed with C I). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.
Prereq: C I 405 or 406
Introduction to research on bilingualism and examination of the social, historical, and political contexts of bilingual education in U.S. schools. Attention to policy environment, school program structure, mode of classroom instruction, family and community context, and attainment of bilingualism and biculturalism for U.S. Mexican youth.
(Cross-listed with AF AM, HIST). (3-0) Cr. 3.
Prereq: Sophomore classification
Comparative history of the civil rights and ethnic power movements (African American, Chicano, American Indian, Puerto Rican, among others) in the U.S. from World War II to the present. Topics include institutional foundations, leadership, gender and racial dynamics, and the convergences and divergences of these differing ethnic struggles for rights.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
Cr. 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: permission of instructor
Independent study under supervision of instructor.
No more than 3 credits may count towards the U.S. Latino/a Studies certificate.